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Tanner and I jumped. I clutched my purse out of habit, and Detective Williams smiled. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Says the man lurking in an empty parking lot.” Tanner’s jaw worked under his skin.
I squeezed his hand and swallowed the dry lump in my throat. “That’s okay. We’re both still a little jumpy.”
“That’s understandable after everything you’ve been through.” Detective Williams took a step closer. “I just have a few more questions to ask you. I won’t take too much of your time.”
“What more could you possibly have left to ask?” Tanner wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “She’s answered all your questions.”
“I want to make sure I have all the facts straight. I’m sure you double-check a vehicle after you’re done working on it, right?”
“It’s okay.” I stepped forward. “What do you need to know?”
Leafing through his notepad, Detective Williams clicked his pen several times. “Your father admitted to getting involved with John’s illegal gambling. When he couldn’t pay them, you said John came to your old bakery and broke your arm?”
“Tommy was the one who broke my wrist, but yes. They came to the bakery after we’d closed and threatened us.”
“Then you said John came back at the end of that week and tried to burn the bakery down.”
“Yes. My father had already gone home for the night. I was in the kitchen when John came in and started dousing it with gasoline.”
“And where was Tommy when this happened?”
“I don’t know, sir. I didn’t see him.”
“But you managed to get out without getting hurt.”
My chest tightened. “Yes. John slipped on the gasoline, hit his head, and was knocked unconscious. That’s how I was able to escape.”
The detective nodded as he scribbled on his pad.
I hated lying to the police, but insurance fraud is illegal. Dad and I could both face jail. I couldn’t let that happen. We’d been through enough.
“Are these Mafioso pricks going to stay in prison?” Tanner asked. “They tried to kill my girlfriend. Twice.”
I shuddered at the thought of John and Tommy walking free. Would they come for me again? Would they ever give up?
“We’ve got them for racketeering and gambling, but they’re being charged with attempted murder. If they plead guilty, it will be an open-and-closed case.”
“If they don’t plead guilty?”
“Ms. Thompson and her father will have to testify against them in court.”
“What are the odds they’ll be found guilty?” I chewed my lip waiting for his response.
“Pretty high, considering this isn’t their first offense.” He shoved both the pen and pad into his pocket. “Thank you for your time. Sorry to interrupt your night.”
“That’s it? What happens next?”
“Ms. Thompson, you have nothing to worry about. Those men won’t hurt you anymore.” He turned and walked to his car.
Nothing to worry about.
Tanner held my face and kissed my lips softly. “He’s right, you know. You have nothing to worry about anymore.”
“What if they plead not guilty? What if it goes to court and I have to testify? What if they don’t believe me? What if—”
“Easy, baby. Let’s take it one day at a time. We’ll worry about things when it’s time to worry about them. Right now, all I’m worried about is getting you home and getting us something to eat.”
